Polymeric Materials for Fuel Cell Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2022) | Viewed by 11494

Special Issue Editor

Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata (URoma2), 00133 Roma, Italy
Interests: Ionomers; fuel cells; synthesis; characterization; conductivity; stability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fuel cells are one of the most promising zero-emission energy conversion technologies.

Researchers have made great efforts in fuel cell development, but the high cost of components and the reduced lifetime have limited the use of these devices. Polymeric materials contained in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are an object of study by the scientific community.

Micro-phase separated ion-containing polymers called ionomers are extensively studied materials and several strategies of synthesis have been explored to increase their ion conductivity maintaining, at the same time, a low cost. Their structures are tailored to also meet also some fundamental requirements such as chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability, low permeability to reactants, and long durability.

This Special Issue of Polymers will present the state-of-the-art in synthesis, characterizations, and applications of ionomers in fuel cells.

Considering your prominent contribution to this research field, I would like to cordially invite you to submit a paper to this Special Issue; original full articles, communications, and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Emanuela Sgreccia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Ionomers
  • fuel cells
  • synthesis
  • characterization
  • conductivity
  • stability

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 5168 KiB  
Article
Utilizing Biomass-Based Graphene Oxide–Polyaniline–Ag Electrodes in Microbial Fuel Cells to Boost Energy Generation and Heavy Metal Removal
by Asim Ali Yaqoob, Albert Serrà, Showkat Ahmad Bhawani, Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim, Anish Khan, Hajer S. Alorfi, Abdullah M. Asiri, Mahmoud Ali Hussein, Imran Khan and Khalid Umar
Polymers 2022, 14(4), 845; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14040845 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 3098
Abstract
Although regarded as environmentally stable, bioelectrochemical fuel cells or, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) continue to face challenges with sustaining electron transport. In response, we examined the performance of two graphene composite-based anode electrodes—graphene oxide (GO) and GO–polymer–metal oxide (GO–PANI–Ag)—prepared from biomass and used [...] Read more.
Although regarded as environmentally stable, bioelectrochemical fuel cells or, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) continue to face challenges with sustaining electron transport. In response, we examined the performance of two graphene composite-based anode electrodes—graphene oxide (GO) and GO–polymer–metal oxide (GO–PANI–Ag)—prepared from biomass and used in MFCs. Over 7 days of operation, GO energy efficiency peaked at 1.022 mW/m2 and GO–PANI–Ag at 2.09 mW/m2. We also tested how well the MFCs could remove heavy metal ions from synthetic wastewater, a secondary application of MFCs that offers considerable benefits. Overall, GO–PANI–Ag had a higher removal rate than GO, with 78.10% removal of Pb(II) and 80.25% removal of Cd(II). Material characterizations, electrochemical testing, and microbial testing conducted to validate the anodes performance confirmed that using new materials as electrodes in MFCs can be an attractive approach to improve the electron transportation. When used with a natural organic substrate (e.g., sugar cane juice), they also present fewer challenges. We also optimized different parameters to confirm the efficiency of the MFCs under various operating conditions. Considering those results, we discuss some lingering challenges and potential possibilities for MFCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Fuel Cell Applications)
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6 pages, 1652 KiB  
Communication
Ultrathin Electrolyte Membranes with PFSA-Vinylon Intermediate Layers for PEM Fuel Cells
by Jedeok KIM, Kazuya Yamasaki, Hitoshi Ishimoto and Yusuke Takata
Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1730; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12081730 - 03 Aug 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2813
Abstract
We prepared ultrathin PFSA/PFSA-vinylon/PFSA laminated electrolyte membranes (thickness = 10 μm) for fuel cells without using a reinforcing material. Nafion and Aquivion solutions were used as PFSA polymers. Vinylon was synthesized by formalizing polyvinyl alcohol. From the current-voltage measurements using ultrathin PFSA/PFSA-vinylon/PFSA membranes; [...] Read more.
We prepared ultrathin PFSA/PFSA-vinylon/PFSA laminated electrolyte membranes (thickness = 10 μm) for fuel cells without using a reinforcing material. Nafion and Aquivion solutions were used as PFSA polymers. Vinylon was synthesized by formalizing polyvinyl alcohol. From the current-voltage measurements using ultrathin PFSA/PFSA-vinylon/PFSA membranes; the cell resistances are significantly lower than that using a 50 μm Nafion membrane. A high current density was obtained under both low- and high-humidity conditions. Ultrathin PFSA/PFSA-vinylon/PFSA laminated membranes will help to further improve the performance of PEMFCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Fuel Cell Applications)
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Review

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33 pages, 6118 KiB  
Review
Anion Exchange Membranes with 1D, 2D and 3D Fillers: A Review
by Riccardo Narducci, Emanuela Sgreccia, Philippe Knauth and Maria Luisa Di Vona
Polymers 2021, 13(22), 3887; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13223887 - 10 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3362
Abstract
Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) are clean energy conversion devices that are an attractive alternative to the more common proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), because they present, among others, the advantage of not using noble metals like platinum as catalysts for [...] Read more.
Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) are clean energy conversion devices that are an attractive alternative to the more common proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), because they present, among others, the advantage of not using noble metals like platinum as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. The interest in this technology has increased exponentially over the recent years. Unfortunately, the low durability of anion exchange membranes (AEM) in basic conditions limits their use on a large scale. We present in this review composite AEM with one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional fillers, an approach commonly used to enhance the fuel cell performance and stability. The most important filler types, which are discussed in this review, are carbon and titanate nanotubes, graphene and graphene oxide, layered double hydroxides, silica and zirconia nanoparticles. The functionalization of the fillers is the most important key to successful property improvement. The recent progress of mechanical properties, ionic conductivity and FC performances of composite AEM is critically reviewed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Fuel Cell Applications)
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21 pages, 3659 KiB  
Review
Silica Containing Composite Anion Exchange Membranes by Sol–Gel Synthesis: A Short Review
by Emanuela Sgreccia, Riccardo Narducci, Philippe Knauth and Maria Luisa Di Vona
Polymers 2021, 13(11), 1874; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13111874 - 04 Jun 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3511
Abstract
This short review summarizes the literature on composite anion exchange membranes (AEM) containing an organo-silica network formed by sol–gel chemistry. The article covers AEM for diffusion dialysis (DD), for electrochemical energy technologies including fuel cells and redox flow batteries, and for electrodialysis. By [...] Read more.
This short review summarizes the literature on composite anion exchange membranes (AEM) containing an organo-silica network formed by sol–gel chemistry. The article covers AEM for diffusion dialysis (DD), for electrochemical energy technologies including fuel cells and redox flow batteries, and for electrodialysis. By applying a vast variety of organically modified silica compounds (ORMOSIL), many composite AEM reported in the last 15 years are based on poly (vinylalcohol) (PVA) or poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) used as polymer matrix. The most stringent requirements are high permselectivity and water flux for DD membranes, while high ionic conductivity is essential for electrochemical applications. Furthermore, the alkaline stability of AEM for fuel cell applications remains a challenging problem that is not yet solved. Possible future topics of investigation on composite AEM containing an organo-silica network are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Fuel Cell Applications)
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